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A grounded explanation of why women present with advanced breast cancer

Taib NA, Yip CH, Low WY

World J Surg, 2014 Jul;38(7):1676-84.
PMID: 24280975 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-013-2339-4

Advanced breast cancer presentation remains a large obstacle in lowering mortality rates in low- and middle-resource countries. This study aims to explore the reasons why women present with breast cancer at an advanced stage.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Exploring factors contributing to mistreatment of women during childbirth in West Bank, Palestine

Dwekat IMM, Tengku Ismail TA, Ibrahim MI, Ghrayeb F

Women Birth, 2021 Jul;34(4):344-351.
PMID: 32684342 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.07.004

BACKGROUND: Respectful care during childbirth is a universal right for each woman in every health system, and mistreatment of women during childbirth is a major breach of this right.
AIM: This study aimed to explore the views of Palestinian women and healthcare providers regarding factors contributing to the mistreatment of women during childbirth at childbirth facilities in the West Bank, Palestine.
METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in the West Bank, Palestine, from February 2019 to April 2019. In-depth interviews were conducted with six Palestinian women and five healthcare providers. Consent was obtained individually from each participant, and the interviews ranged from 40 to 50min. Data collection was continued until thematic saturation was reached. Open-ended questions were asked during interviews. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data collected from the interviews.
RESULTS: Four themes were identified with regards to the women and healthcare providers' views about factors contributing to the mistreatment of women during childbirth in the West Bank, Palestine: limitation in childbirth facilities, factors within the healthcare providers, the women themselves, and barriers within the community.
DISCUSSION: Mistreatment of women during childbirth may occur due to the limitations of resources and staff in childbirth facilities. Some women also justified the mistreatment, and certain characteristics of the women were believed to be the factors for mistreatment.
CONCLUSION: As the first known study of its kind in West Bank, the identified contributing factors especially the limitations of resources and staff are essential to provide good quality and respectful care at childbirth facilities.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Midlife crisis perceptions, experiences, help-seeking, and needs among multi-ethnic malaysian women

Wong LP, Awang H, Jani R

Women Health, 2012;52(8):804-19.
PMID: 23127220 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2012.729557

In the present study, researchers explored attitudes toward midlife crises, experience with midlife crises, help-seeking, and needs among multi-ethnic Malaysian women. A total of 14 focus group discussions were conducted with 89 Malaysian women of different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Women expressed concern over physical aging and decline in their physical functional health. Having a midlife crisis was frequently reported. Issues that were frequently reported to trigger a midlife crisis, such as empty nest syndrome, impact of aging on sexual and reproductive function, extended parenthood, caring for aging or ill parents, and career challenges were noted by the study participants (listed here in order of most to least frequently reporting of these themes across the group discussions). Overall, these issues were associated with attitudes about aging. A comparatively less open attitude toward sexual attitudes and help-seeking for sexual problems were found among the Malay and Indian women. This may imply that intervention to increase positive attitudes concerning both sexuality and help-seeking intentions should be culturally specific. The use of religious coping for comfort and consolation was frequently reported; therefore, those providing midlife crisis prevention and intervention programs should consider involving faith-based interventions in the Malaysian setting.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext A qualitative exploration of Malaysian doctors' perceptions towards complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) [Abstract]

Farooqui M, Othman CN, Hassali AA, Saleem F, Ul Haq N, Sadeeqa S

Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A789.
PMID: 27202944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.425

Objectives: The study aims to assess doctors’ perceptions towards Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in their medical practice, factors that affect the referral of CAM and suggestions to improve CAM in medical practice.
Methods: A qualitative research approach was adopted to gain a better understanding of the current perceptions and practice held by doctors’ within their medical professions. In order to gain a wide perspective of the issue, eleven doctors were purposively selected who were working in academics, hospitals and in the community health clinics. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. A saturation point was reached after the 10th interview, and no new information emerged with the subsequent interviews. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by means of a standard content analysis framework.
Results: The doctors expressed a range of views on CAM that can be divided into two major themes: doctors’ knowledge and understanding towards CAM and doctors’ viewpoint on CAM in their professional practice. A key factor which affected doctor’s perspectives on CAM was the lack of scientific evidences. The attitudes on CAM were basically shaped based on their personal CAM use rather than knowledge gained during an academic course. Lack of knowledge on CAM was also attributing to the doctors’ reluctance in CAM discussion with their patients. Though addition of CAM courses into the medical curriculum was proposed by some of the doctors; the practical implication was criticized as some found medical curriculum heavily packed with the biomedical courses.
Conclusions: Majority of the doctors in this study were skeptical and uncertain about CAM due to lack of scientific evidence. Doctor-patient communication on CAM can only be improved when doctors’ knowledge on CAM can be improved by providing necessary training on CAM.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Association among calendar packaging and medication adherence: Findings from a focus group discussion among hypertensive patients in Penang, Malaysia. [Abstract]

Tan BY, Shafie AA, Hassali MA, Saleem F, Kumar R

Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A831.
PMID: 26534439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.317

Objectives: Medication adherence to treatment recommendations has major impact on health outcomes. Numerous interventions to improve medication adherence among the patients have been studied in clinical trials, including calendar packaging and patient reminder letters. Therefore, this study is aimed to explore hypertensive patient’s perceptions towards calendar packaging and its impact on medication adherence.
Methods: A qualitative method was adopted, whereby two focus group sessions were conducted among 16 conveniently sampled hypertensive patients from a community based non-governmental organisation in the state of Penang, Malaysia. A pre validated focus group guide was constructed and used for data collection. Collected data was transcribed verbatim and analysed by thematic content analysis to identify the emerging themes.
Results: Each focus group consisted of 8 hypertensive patients. Thematic content analysis resulted into 3 major themes (knowledge and familiarity with the medicines names and their packaging; perception about the packaging and labelling of medicines; knowledge and views of calendar packaging) and each theme was further divided into 2 sub themes. Majority of the hypertensive patients were not familiar with their medication names, however they were able to identify their medications based on the appearance and packaging. Participants agreed that calendar packaging is a great intervention to increase awareness among patients about regular medicine use and increase medication adherence.
Conclusions: The study concluded that hypertensive patients relied on the packaging and labelling on the medications to identify their medications. Thus, packaging and labelling of the medications play an important role in improving medication adherence and reduce medication errors. This finding can help to enhance the drug manufacturers to pay attention on the drug packaging in order to increase medication adherence among the patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
A Real-World Evidence Analysis of Associations Among Costs, Quality of Life, and Disease-Severity Indicators of Alzheimer's Disease in Thailand

Kongpakwattana K, Dejthevaporn C, Krairit O, Dilokthornsakul P, Mohan D, Chaiyakunapruk N

Value Health, 2019 10;22(10):1137-1145.
PMID: 31563256 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2019.04.1937

BACKGROUND: Although an increase in the burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is evident worldwide, knowledge of costs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) associated with AD in low- and middle-income countries is still lacking.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to collect real-world cost and HRQOL data, and investigate their associations with multiple disease-severity indicators among AD patients in Thailand.
METHODS: We recruited AD patients aged ≥60 years accompanied by their caregivers at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital. A one-time structured interview was conducted to collect disease-severity indicators, HRQOL, and caregiving information using standardized tools. The hospital's database was used to retrieve healthcare resource utilization occurred over 6 months preceding the interview date. Costs were annualized and stratified based on cognitive status. Generalized linear models were employed to evaluate determinants of costs and HRQOL.
RESULTS: Among 148 community-dwelling patients, average annual total societal costs of AD care were $8014 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $7295-$8844) per patient. Total costs of patients with severe stage ($9860; 95% CI: $8785-$11 328) were almost twice as high as those of mild stage ($5524; 95% CI: $4649-$6593). The major cost driver was direct medical costs, particularly those incurred by AD prescriptions. Functional status was the strongest determinant for both total costs and patient's HRQOL (P value

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Physicians' experiences with HPV vaccine delivery: evidence from developing country with multiethnic populations

Wong LP

Vaccine, 2009 Mar 4;27(10):1622-7.
PMID: 19100803 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.11.107

Physicians' experiences in providing human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization were assessed by mailed questionnaire. Response rate of 41.4% was achieved. Malay Muslim physicians were more likely to agree that cultural sensitivity is an issue when recommending HPV vaccines. Pediatricians and family physicians were more likely to agree that acceptance is better if vaccines were recommended to prevent cervical cancer than to prevent a sexually transmitted disease. Near 70% rated success of HPV vaccines recommendation in their practice as very poor with the majority patients preferred to postpone immunization. Physicians reported cultural disparities in vaccine uptake and perceived high vaccination cost limits its use.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext MALAYSIA'S FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT RELATIONS WITHIN THE ORGANISATION DEVELOPING EIGHT EONOMIC COOPERATION (D8) WITHIN COUNTERPARTS

NORHANUMFATIN MOHD SHUKRI, MADZLI HARUN

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2021;3(2):99-110.
MyJurnal

Malaysia is a member of Developing-8 (D-8), which facilitated the formation of bilateral trade relations among member countries. This study focuses on Malaysia’s foreign direct investments (FDIs) within D-8. The purpose of this study is to strengthen the FDI ties with D-8 member states, where Malaysia must focus on cooperating for long-term investments and examining the existing FDI policies under Malaysia and its D-8 counterparts, as well as studying the opportunity of interdependence between Malaysia’s FDIs with D-8 member states. The main issue is the imbalance of Malaysia’s FDI preference with D-8 member states, which is followed by the weakness of Malaysia’s FDI outwards policy, specialised among the D-8 counterparts. Thus, Malaysia’s FFDI lacks penetration with D-8 member states. The qualitative research method, data collection, interviews, and content analysis method are used for this study. The respondents’ agencies for interviews are experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), The Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations Division of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI and the Foreign Investment Promotion Division of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Coding techniques are applied for the coding process of the content analysis. This study also uses the theories of interdependence and political economy with SWOT analysis to examine the implementation of Malaysia’s FDI with D-8 counterparts. The findings of the study show that Malaysia is looking for quality investments without choosing where the investments come from, and FDIs with D-8 counterparts in several sectors can still be implemented if the D-8 counterparts are offering quality investments for Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext Patriotic Sentiment of Chinese Community: A Relevance Theory Analysis

MONICA LIAW KAH PEI, MARY FATIMAH SUBET

Trends in Undergraduate Research, 2018;1(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

In the Chinese community, patriotism had been a strong sentiment, but this sentiment had not been shown openly among the Chinese. Thus, this article aimed to identify the patrotic sentiments of the Chinese community in the Malay poems by applying relevance theory pioneered by Sperber and Wilson (1986). This is a qualitative study. Three poems written by Lim Swee Tin (LST), a famous Malaysian poet were analysed. Poetic lines in the poems that manifested the patriotic sentiments were identified from corpora and they were further analysed with relevance theory. Findings of the study showed that data consisting the patriotic sentiments practised by the Chinese were identified in LST’s poems. The results also showed that there were implicit meanings behind the data analysed and the implied meanings and messages had been found to be in relevance with the values and cultures practised in the Chinese community. Not only that, the study also highlighted the importance of relevance theory in analysing the data as results obtained were more theoretical, academic and of high validity. Thus, the results obtained were not only undisputed, but it also an add-on to the existing facts, understanding and knowledge to the Chinese community particularly on the culture of Chinese community.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext Elements of Nature in Iban Proverbs (Jaku’ Sempama): An Inqusitive Semantics Analysis

RUSSEL DUNDANG ANAK JEFFREY, MARY FATIMAH SUBET

Trends in Undergraduate Research, 2018;1(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

The use of proverbs in Iban community illustrates that the community exercise language politeness in giving reproach, advice or insinuation to others. The elements used in the proverbs also reflect and describe the culture of this community by applying their experiences and observations to the environment. This study is conducted to analyze the natural elements in Ibans’ proverbs using inquisitive semantic analysis. This research is based on two objectives, namely listing and identifying Ibans’ proverbs (jaku' sempama) which contain elements of nature in the creation and to analyzing the mind and philosophy of Iban community in the creation of proverbs (jaku' sempama) by using inquisitive semantics as the theoretical framework. The natural elements identified are divided into 4 domains, namely animals, plants, resources or energy, and the universe. This is a qualitative research. Corpus data is gathered and two informants were interviewed. The meanings of the proverbs, the cognitive and the philosophy behind the creation of the proverbs plus the intellects of the Iban community are incorporated to reveal the Iban ingenuity behind the creation of a particular proverb. This study also incorporated knowledge from other areas in giving answers on the use of the natural elements identified in the Iban proverbs. Findings show that there are hidden philosophy behind the creations of the proverbs and this philosophy can be attributed to the culture of the community that behold the proverbs.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext Sugar Cane images in Tamil Proverbs: A Semantic Inquisitive analysis

TANGAPRABHU MURTHY, MARY FATIMAH SUBET

Trends in Undergraduate Research, 2018;1(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

Proverbs are created when people started to observe and understand the nature around them. Proverbs consist of literal meanings and implicated meanings. The way these proverbs have been said, portrays the beauty and smoothness of the language to which the proverbs belong. This research is mainly conducted to distinguish Indian community's intellectual and philosophical abilities in conveying direct and indirect meanings. The theoretical framework used in this research is inquisitive semantics by Nor Hashimah Jalaluddin (2014). This is a qualitative research. The researcher attained 25 datas by interviewing four (4) Indian informants. However, this research acquired only three 3 data in which the image of sugarcane has been used. Finding shows that the Indian community's proverbs are established from their observation towards nature and the Indian community has their own philosophical understanding and also intellectual standards in the creation of proverbs. Actual meanings behind the data used in this research have been successfully decoded using the theory of inquisitive semantics. In a nutshell, this study is highly justifiable as the theory used in this research is a renowned and authoritative theory.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext Mental Trauma Experienced by Caregivers of patients with Diffuse Axonal Injury or Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Syed Hassan ST, Jamaludin H, Abd Raman R, Mohd Riji H, Wan Fei K

Trauma Mon, 2013 Sep;18(2):56-61.
PMID: 24350153 DOI: 10.5812/traumamon.11522

CONTEXT: As with care giving and rehabilitation in chronic illnesses, the concern with traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly with diffuse axonal injury (DAI), is that the caregivers are so overwhelmingly involved in caring and rehabilitation of the victim that in the process they become traumatized themselves. This review intends to shed light on the hidden and silent trauma sustained by the caregivers of severe brain injury survivors. Motor vehicle accident (MVA) is the highest contributor of TBI or DAI. The essence of trauma is the infliction of pain and suffering and having to bear the pain (i.e. by the TBI survivor) and the burden of having to take care and manage and rehabilitate the TBI survivor (i.e. by the TBI caregiver). Moreover many caregivers are not trained for their care giving task, thus compounding the stress of care giving and rehabilitating patients. Most research on TBI including DAI, focus on the survivors and not on the caregivers. TBI injury and its effects and impacts remain the core question of most studies, which are largely based on the quantitative approach.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Qualitative research can better assess human sufferings such as in the case of DAI trauma. While quantitative research can measure many psychometric parameters to assess some aspects of trauma conditions, qualitative research is able to fully reveal the meaning, ramification and experience of TBI trauma. Both care giving and rehabilitation are overwhelmingly demanding; hence , they may complicate the caregivers' stress. However, some positive outcomes also exist.
RESULTS: Caregivers involved in caring and rehabilitation of TBI victims may become mentally traumatized. Posttraumatic recovery of the TBI survivor can enhance the entire family's closeness and bonding as well as improve the mental status of the caregiver.
CONCLUSIONS: A long-term longitudinal study encompassing integrated research is needed to fully understand the traumatic experiences of caregivers. Unless research on TBI or DAI trauma is given its proper attention, the burden of trauma and injury on societies will continue to exacerbate globally.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Factors limiting deceased organ donation: focus groups' perspective from culturally diverse community

Wong LP

Transplant Proc, 2010 Jun;42(5):1439-44.
PMID: 20620450 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.11.053

BACKGROUND: In-depth understanding of cultural and religious factors limiting organ donation of three ethnic populations (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) in Southeast Asia is lacking. Identification of factors limiting organ donation among these three ethnic groups will provide insights into culturally appropriate strategies to promote acceptance of organ donation in a multiethnic Asian community.
METHODS: A total of 17 focus group discussions (105 participants) were conducted between September and December 2008. Participants were members of the general public aged 18 to 60 years, recruited through convenient sampling around the Klang Valley area of Malaysia.
RESULTS: Although the majority had favorable attitudes toward deceased organ donation and transplantation, a diversity of myths and misinformation were unearthed from the discussions across the ethnic groups. These include perceived religious prohibition, cultural myths and misperceptions, fear of disfigurement, fear of surgery, distrust of the medical system, and family disapproval. Culture and religious beliefs played important prohibitive roles among those opposed to organ donations. There were distinctive ethnic differences in cultural and religious concerns regarding organ donation. Less-educated and rural groups appeared to have more misconceptions than the well-educated and the urban groups.
CONCLUSION: Our findings may assist organ donation and transplantation organizations to reach diverse sociodemographic and ethnic communities with culture-specific information about organ donation. The involvement of community and religious leaders is critical in organ donation requests.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Photo-oxidative degradation of motorcycle helmets in Hanoi, Vietnam: A prospective preliminary study

Ramli R, Che Man Z, Nordin R, Abdul Karim F, Rashdi MF, Oxley J, et al.

Traffic Inj Prev, 2016 Sep;17 Suppl 1:79-85.
PMID: 27586107 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2016.1203428

OBJECTIVE: Vietnamese spend hours travelling on the road using their motorcycles. Their helmets are exposed continuously to sunlight and rain. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between the effect of photo-oxidative degradation (POD) of the outer shells and helmet age on helmet damage. The micro-structural change of the outer shell was also investigated.
METHODS: This was a prospective, cross sectional study recruiting injured motorcyclists from Hanoi, Vietnam hospital. The participants were interviewed by a trained researcher. The participants' helmets were collected post-crash. Initially, the helmets were examined for their type and external characteristics. A 3 cm × 3 cm cut was made on the helmet in the impacted and non-impacted areas (control). These areas were investigated for evidence of POD and presence of micro-cracks and material disintegration. 50 participants were enrolled. Sources of information included questionnaire and laboratory analyses. The helmet factors of interest were age of the helmet, exposure of helmet to sunlight and rain (duration/day) and history of previous impact. Laboratory analyses included Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) for degradation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for micro-structural examination.
RESULTS: Majority of the helmets was the open-face type, 40 (80.0%). 31 (62.0%) helmets aged less than three years (LTY) and 19 (38.0%) were three years old or more (MTY). 19 (61.3%) of the LTY helmets and 12 (63.2%) MTY helmets showed evidence of POD. The duration of helmet exposure to sunlight was between 93 to 6570 hours (mean 2347.74 hours; SD 1733.39). The SEM showed 15 helmets (30%) with micro-fractures, 21 helmets (42.0%) with material disintegration. Prolonged uv exposure to the ABS helmets resulted in changes in the helmet material in the form of material disintegration and microcracks and this association was statistically significant (p = 0.03).
CONCLUSION: POD occurs due to routine exposure to the ultraviolet light. Prolonged uv exposure affects outer shell surface material integrity.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Women With Amenorrhea and Men With Menstruation: The Qualitative Experiences of People With Disorders of Sex Development in Nigeria

Sani AM, Arif II, Arshad MM, Mungadi IA, Soh KG, Soh KL

J Nurs Res, 2020 Feb;28(1):e67.
PMID: 30855517 DOI: 10.1097/jnr.0000000000000313

BACKGROUND: Disorders of sex development (DSD) affect the quality of life of people who live with this condition. In developing countries, diagnoses of DSD are associated with a delay in presentation until the patients developed ambiguous physical traits and features.
PURPOSE: This study explores the menstrual experiences of people with DSD and sex reassignment in Nigeria.
METHODS: A qualitative approach with a phenomenological study design was employed in this study to explore and describe the experiences of people with DSD at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo software.
RESULTS: The findings show that the participants experienced menstrual problems: men with menstruation and women with amenorrhea. The female participants generally described amenorrhea as a disappointment and linked menstruation with womanhood. Amenorrhea evinced both emotional and psychological effects. However, some of the female participants considered amenorrhea in a positive light and were happy with their lives without menstruation. The menstrual experiences of male participants included menarche, lower abdominal pain, regular monthly bleeding, and ovulation. The male participants described menstruation as a disaster in their lives and a source of anxiety, suicidal ideation, and depression. Menstruation negatively affected their psychosocial well-being.
CONCLUSIONS: The menstrual experience of individuals with DSD negatively affects their quality of life. The women with DSD in this study showed a generally poor knowledge of menarche, menstruation, and puberty, indicating that their parents had ignored the initial symptoms of DSD. DSD were only recognized at puberty because of the development of ambiguous physical traits and of the onset of menstruation in men and the confirmation of amenorrhea in women.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Stigmatization and discrimination towards people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS by the general public in Malaysia

Wong LP, Syuhada AR

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2011 Sep;42(5):1119-29.
PMID: 22299438

Globally, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discriminatory attitudes deter the effectiveness of HIV prevention and care programs. This study investigated the general public's perceptions about HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination towards people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in order to understand the root of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discriminatory attitudes. Study was carried out using qualitative focus group discussions (FGD). An interview guide with semi-structured questions was used. Participants were members of the public in Malaysia. Purposive sampling was adopted for recruitment of participants. A total 14 focus group discussions (n = 74) was carried out between March and July 2008. HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) was profound. Key factors affecting discriminatory attitudes included high-risk taking behavior, individuals related to stigmatized identities, sources of HIV infection, stage of the disease, and relationship with an infected person. Other factors that influence attitudes toward PLWHA include ethnicity and urban-rural locality. Malay participants were less likely than other ethnic groups to perceive no stigmatization if their spouses were HIV positive. HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination were stronger among participants in rural settings. The differences indicate attitudes toward PLWHA are influenced by cultural differences.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext Lay beliefs about smoking in Kelantan, Malaysia

Jackson AA, Manan WA, Gani AS, Carter YH

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2004 Sep;35(3):756-63.
PMID: 15689100

Studies have shown that smokers rationalize smoking by self-exempting beliefs. This study explored lay beliefs about smoking in Kelantan, Malaysia, using focus groups among outpatients, medical students and staff, and a questionnaire survey of 193 male smokers. In focus groups, patients said they could do something to make smoking safe. When asked, 'Do you think there are any safe ways to smoke?' 132/193 (68%) male smokers described at least one way. The commonest were 'drink water' (69/193, 36%), 'use a filter' (60/193, 31%), 'smoke after food' (27/193, 14%), and 'take sour fruit' (21/193, 11%). At three- or six-month follow-up, numbers agreeing with these beliefs were: for 'drink water' 67/115 (58%), for 'take sour fruit' 61/115 (53%), and for 'smoke after food' 38/115 (33%), with 88/115 (77%) supporting at least one. The main explanations for water were that it cleaned or moistened the lungs or throat. Sour fruit was described as cleaning, and sometimes as 'sharp', able to scrape out the essence of cigarettes. The conclusion is that self-exempting false beliefs about smoking are widespread, and here they probably represent an extension of the traditional humoral system. Anti-smoking campaigns and health workers in smoking cessation services should address these beliefs.
Study site: outpatients clinic (Klinik Perubatan Masyarakat, KPM), Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext Low levels of caries in aggressive periodontitis: A literature review

Sulugodu Ramachandra S

Saudi Dent J, 2014 Apr;26(2):47-9.
PMID: 25408595 DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2013.12.002

This article is a traditional literature review on caries levels in aggressive periodontitis. Aggressive periodontitis generally affects systemically healthy individuals aged <30 years (older individuals can also be affected) and is characterized by a young age of onset, rapid rate of disease progression, and familial aggregation of cases. Dental caries is caused by the dissolution of enamel by acid-producing bacteria present in the plaque biofilm, especially when the biofilm reaches critical mass due to improper oral hygiene. The association between caries level and aggressive periodontitis has long been debated. Initial research indicated that caries levels were high in patients with aggressive periodontitis, but high-quality studies have consistently shown that caries and aggressive periodontitis are inversely related. A recent in vitro study showed that Streptococcus mutans was killed more readily in the saliva of patients with aggressive periodontitis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans positivity than in patients with A. actinomycetemcomitans negativity. Other mechanisms possibly explaining the inverse relationship between caries and aggressive periodontitis in cases of Down's syndrome are also discussed in this literature review. The usefulness of caries level in the diagnosis of aggressive periodontitis in developing countries such as India, where the disease is diagnosed primarily on the basis of clinical and radiographic features and familial history is also discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext Thalassaemia: a study on the perception of patients and family members

Wahab IA, Naznin M, Nora MZ, Suzanah AR, Zulaiho M, Faszrul AR, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2011 Oct;66(4):326-34.
PMID: 22299552 MyJurnal

Marked improvement in the management of thalassaemia has not been matched by progress in psychosocial rehabilitation as thalassaemia continues to pose challenges to patients and their family members. Few studies have been carried out in Malaysia to look at such issues. This study is therefore to explore the concerns, beliefs and feelings about thalassaemia. It was conducted in the year 2009 over 7 months on "focus groups", in patients aged 8-22 years and parents attending Paediatric Clinic of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang. Results showed that concerns and adverse impact were related to lower grades in education, poor self-image, less chance of employment, marriage, financial burden and social integration. Compliance to subcutaneous iron chelator was poor. There were various concerns related to blood transfusion therapy. It is evident that thalassaemia greatly affects the psychosocial dimensions and a more structured long term psychosocial support is needed to improve quality of life of patients.

Study site: Paediatric Clinic of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research
Fulltext Outbreak of chikungunya due to virus of Central/East African genotype in Malaysia

Noridah O, Paranthaman V, Nayar SK, Masliza M, Ranjit K, Norizah I, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Oct;62(4):323-8.
PMID: 18551938 MyJurnal

Chikungunya is an acute febrile illness caused by an alphavirus which is transmitted by infective Aedes mosquitoes. Two previous outbreaks of chikungunya in Malaysia were due to chikungunya virus of Asian genotype. The present outbreak involved two adjoining areas in the suburb of Ipoh city within the Kinta district of Perak, a state in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Thirty seven residents in the main outbreak area and two patients in the secondary area were laboratory confirmed to be infected with the virus. The index case was a 44-year Indian man who visited Paramakudi, Tamil Naidu, India on 21st November 2006 and returned home on 30th of November 2006, and subsequently developed high fever and joint pain on the 3rd of December 2006. A number of chikungunya virus isolates were isolated from both patients and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the affected areas. Molecular study showed that the chikungunya virus causing the Kinta outbreak was of the Central/East African genotype which occurred for the first time in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Qualitative Research

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